A couple of Native Americans writers and activists were furious about J.K. Rowling's incorporation of the "Navajo" legend of the skinwalker in her recent story "Fantastic Beasts," Business Standard reported.
It was applied that the historical background of "Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them" got its roots from a four-part series of "History of Magic in North America" posted in J.K. Rowling's Pottermore website.
The "History of Magic in North America" will serve as a prelude to the forthcoming movie of the famous fictional author launching in November.
What made some Native Americans angry about the incorporation of this story is Rowling's depiction of skinwalkers as humans who can transform into animals at their own will, Business Standard added.
This depiction led to charges that Rowling is being culturally insensitive.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Adrienne Keene of the Cherokee Nation led the series of charges to Rowling through her blog and some Twitter posts.
In her Native Appropriations blog, Keene wrote: "The problem, Jo (can I call you Jo? I hope so), is that we as Indigenous peoples are constantly situated as fantasy creatures."
"But we're not magical creatures, we're contemporary peoples who are still here, and still practice our spiritual traditions, traditions that are not akin to a completely imaginary wizarding world (as badass as that wizarding world is)."
Keene even elaborated in her writing about the legend of "skinwalkers" incorporated into the Pottermore Universe.
"The legend of the Native American 'skin walker' - an evil witch or wizard that can transform into an animal at will - has its basis in fact," Keene wrote. "A legend grew up around the Native American Animagi, that they had sacrificed close family members to gain their powers of transformation."
As of this writing, the camp of Rowling has yet to comment on the issue.
